This video was released in 1981, but it is definitely worth watching. Bookbinding craft is not so prone to changes and all the main processes are shown here in detail.

Video is narrated by the distinguished writer and historian Dr. Maurice Craig, and filmed in the bindery of John F. Newman, Dublin.

I’m quite happy with the narrative. However, one shouldn’t rely on this video only. There are some small details omitted here. I understand that it is impossible to show everything I just under 30 minutes, but there was a chance for at least some of the details.

For example, when in this video endbands are sewn, it appears that bookbinder in charge is just piercing the top edge with the needle. That couldn’t be so, because in that case the gold surface would have been damaged. It is better to pass the point of the needle from the front edge, throughout all the surface of the top edge and then through the back of the book.

The other thing impossible for many of our community members is to distribute the work among different members of workshop. Many bookbinders today work alone and have to perform all the steps by themselves.

What other omissions have you found in this video? What would you do differently?

Please Support us on Patreon!

The minimum level of contribution is only $1 per month. However, starting with a pledge level of $5, our supporters get at least two digitized vintage books about bookbinding, book history, or book arts per month from us!

These pledges help iBookBinding to continue its work and bring more information about bookbinding and book arts to you!

Share this page:

Related

Stepan is the owner and editor of iBookBinding.com since August 2015. He has been a bookbinder since 2006 and has taught hundreds of students since 2014. Recently Stepan spends more time crafting and 3d-printing bookbinding tools than making books.

Stay Up to Date with Bookish News and Get the PDF Book Collection!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and you will get updates on the news of the book arts and book history, as well as get the latest tutorials and other useful information. Even more, after subscribing you get our PDF Bookbinding Collection for FREE!